Patriots worked out Sam Cowart and Orlando Ruff on Friday

[DefenseRules]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

On Friday, the Patriots had linebackers Sam Cowart and Orlando Ruff in for tryouts. The team's depth at linebacker is thin, and Cowart and Ruff are likely on the team's short list in an emergency.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Cowart had huge #'s just 3 short years ago. I'm sure he is now slowed down from his all-pro seasons but Supposedly, nagging constant small injuries have been the problem...if we could get lucky and he's found a way to stay healthy th'e about as good a backup as can be found this time of the season. Certainly a bigger name than any of the TE's we have signed.


Does anyone know how he looked at the tryout???

 

[Remix 6]

Cowart had huge #'s just 3 short years ago. I'm sure he is now slowed down from his all-pro seasons but Supposedly, nagging constant small injuries have been the problem...if we could get lucky and he's found a way to stay healthy th'e about as good a backup as can be found this time of the season. Certainly a bigger name than any of the TE's we have signed.


Does anyone know how he looked at the tryout???

you'll never now

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Does anyone know how he looked at the tryout???

I understand he moves pretty good with the walker and that unicycle propping up his backside doesn't impede his mobility at all.

 

[captain stone]

I understand he moves pretty good with the walker and that unicycle propping up his backside doesn't impede his mobility at all...

...which means that he moves better than Izzo, at least.

 

[pats1]

...which means that he moves better than Izzo, at least.

But all of them still move better than Bruschi.

 

[BelichickFan]

I wouldn't laugh, with Vrabel's ankle swollen I bet we see one of these guys signed today.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

So, if Orlando gets ready to play, that would make him RUFF AND READY...

Get set, get ready, here comes Ruff and Reddy.
They're tough, but steady, always rough and ready.

They sometimes have their little spats, even fight like dogs and cats,
But when they need each other, that's when, they're rough and ready.

http://www.vaiden.net/ruff_reddy.jpg

 

[SamBam39]

I wouldn't mind seeing them sign Cowart.

At least we know he's got a clue.

 

[Urgent]

And, if Cowart signs with New England, does he get AFC East Bingo?

 

[AzPatsFan]

I remember Sam Cowart as a very good 4-3 MLB. Until he tore up a knee about three years ago. But he still had 85 tackles in 2005. So he came back from the knee with the Vikings, but they cut him in the Mike Tice, Culpepper house cleaning.

If he has any legs left he is exactly the kind of ex-starter ILB that BB/SP seems to do so well with picking up. In the 4-3 you need more speed and range and as those decay, you can't play even though your LB instincts are fine.

Then Cowart went to the 3-4 Texans just before Kubiak converted them to a 4-3. He lost out to prize rookie DeMeco Ryans who could be defensive ROY.

The big benefit to a BB Defense is that the ILBs don't have any where near as much ground to cover, as in a 4-3. They merely need INSTINCTS. These come from lot of playing experience, and native PLAY RECOGNITION ability which does not decay as you get older.

Cowart is 31 and with a TC he could well be the ILB depth we need there, as we groom a youngster. Think of him as a half dozen year younger Jr. (and a lot younger than Cox and Phifer when they arrived)

Of course all of this is predicated on Cowart having some wheels left. I have no idea on the state of his knee(s).

 

[captain stone]

But all of them still move better than Bruschi.

Poor Tedy. That tipped ball would have been an INT 2 years ago.

 

[captain stone]

I wouldn't laugh, with Vrabel's ankle swollen I bet we see one of these guys signed today.

What happened to Vrabel's ankle??

 

[captain stone]

Get set, get ready, here comes Ruff and Reddy.
They're tough, but steady, always rough and ready.

They sometimes have their little spats, even fight like dogs and cats,
But when they need each other, that's when, they're rough and ready.

http://www.vaiden.net/ruff_reddy.jpg

I remember those dudes, man. Did they have their own show, or were they part of another?

 

[BelichickFan]

What happened to Vrabel's ankle??

Who knows but the Herald said it was swollen and he was limping badly in the lockeroom after the game.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Ouch. We really can't afford to lose Vrabel as well. Sign me up for Cowart if his physical checks out. He used to be a very good mlb type for the bills I believe. Come on Piolichick, pull another gem from that scrap heap!!

 

[Koettbulle]

Cowart has good instincts and burst and can be disruptive when he freelances but he has some trouble shedding blockers and he makes mistakes in coverage.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

I remember those dudes, man. Did they have their own show, or were they part of another?

Their own show...Saturdays at 10:30...Man, thems were the days!!!